Monday, January 18, 2010

Cardiologist Appt

Two and sometimes three appointments in one day is never fun, but that's how I seem to schedule them. My first appointment was with the ophthalmologist. Due to my increased blood pressures, and genetics, I went in for a visual field test. I am thankful that I only have some slight hemorrhaging in my right eye, and the visual field turned out normal. My ophthalmologist also dilated my eyes and checked my pressures.

My second appointment was with the cardiologist, due to my librating blood pressures. Once again, I went through all of the symptoms, as well as family history. Shortly after starting the exam, the cardiologist looked at my eyes, and his demeanor very quickly changed to concern. My Mom then interjected, "Faith just had her eyes dilated this morning!" And he thought that he might have to disclose that I was enjoying some drugs. Hahah! I guess you had to see the look on the cardiologist face; it was priceless!

My great grandfather, my grandmother, most likely my uncle, and possibly my sister have either died or had surgery on a barry form aneurysm of the brain. Next week, I will be going in for a Brain MRI/MRA. Yes, another MRI, with and without contrast, this time of the brain, as opposed to the abdominal. Thank God I'm not claustrophobic. We would like to rule this out.

The cardiologist is determined to find a clear diagnosis for me. :) He says my case is fun, interesting, exciting, and challenging!

In the meantime, as I continue to go through a battery of tests, I am thankful for the blessings God continues to shower upon me through so many amazing people!

Faith,I seriously hope they figure out what's going on soon! I know first hand how frustrating it can be when you know something is up and nobody knows how to help or what tests to run. I hope they find something soon so that they know how to help you. Thanks for keeping us up to speed. You're in my google reader and I read as soon as you post. :)

They had to tell me to quit laughing...I felt like I was in the middle of a rap show. So...the one of the scans was repeated. The contrast was not nice, but it wasn't as much as they used last time, or as powerful, b/c this is a brain scan.

I should have results in a couple weeks, that's normal.

Cerebral aneurysms are classified both by size and shape. Small aneurysms have a diameter of less than 15 mm. Larger aneurysms include those classified as large (15 to 25 mm), giant (25 to 50 mm), and super giant (over 50 mm). Berry aneurysms are saccular aneurysms with necks or stems resembling a berry.

My cardiologist wanted to rule it out, as their is quite a bit of family history. I have also been sick, passing out, and with headache at different times.